Your doctor will not prescribe rifampin if you have symptoms of meningitis. That's because the medication increases your risk of rapidly developing a resistant strain of the bacteria causing the infection.

Before taking rifampin, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver problems or liver disease, any condition that affects your adrenal glands, porphyria (disorders that mainly cause nerve or skin problems), or diabetes.

Rifampin may cause your urine, sweat, tears, and mucus to turn reddish. This is a harmless side effect, but it can permanently stain rigid or extended-wear contact lenses.

Pregnancy and Rifampin

Rifampin is an FDA Pregnancy Category C Drug, meaning research in animals indicates it can be harmful to a developing baby, but human studies are lacking.

It should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefits outweigh the risk to the fetus. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this medication.

Because rifampin is excreted in human breast milk and animal studies have shown that the drug has the potential to cause tumors to form, you shouldn't take it if you are breastfeeding.

Rifampin can decrease the effectiveness and reliability of hormonal contraceptives, including birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, and injections. Talk to your doctor about the most effective contraceptive to use while you are taking rifampin.

Rifampin (Rifadin) Interactions

You should always tell your doctor about any prescription, non-prescription, illegal, and recreational drugs; herbal remedies; and nutritional and dietary supplements you're taking, since rifampin may interact with a wide range of drugs, including the following types of medications:

Antacids

Anticonvulsants

Antiarrhythmic medications

Anticoagulants

Antifungals

Barbiturates

Calcium-channel blockers

Antibiotics

Corticosteroids

Cardiac glycosides

Hypoglycemic agents including sulfonylureas

Narcotic painkillers

Progestins

Tricyclic antidepressants

Rifampin also interacts with the following drugs:

Atovaquone-Proguanil (Malarone)

Digitoxin (Lanoxin)

Cyclosporine (Restasis) Clofibrate

Dapsone

Diazepam (Valium)

Haloperidol (Haldol)

Halothane (Fluothane)

Isoniazid (Laniazid, Nydrazid, and others; in Rifamate, IsonaRif, and Rifater)

Levothyroxine (Synthroid)

Methadone

Probenecid (Benemid and Probalan, in Proben-C and Colbenemid)

Quinine

Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)

Tacrolimus (Prograf, Advagraf)

Theophylline (Theo-24)

Zidovudine (Retrovir)

Rifampin and Alcohol

Rifampin and Other Interactions

Rifampin may produce false-positive results in urine screening tests for opiates. It can interfere with other laboratory tests, too, including blood folate and vitamin B12 tests, and liver and gallbladder function tests.

Rifampin (Rifadin) Dosage

For treating adults with TB, rifampin should be taken once daily with a full glass of water, either an hour before a meal or two hours afterward.

The initial phase of treatment requires it to be taken with isoniazid and pyrazinamide, for two months. A fourth drug, either streptomycin or ethambutol, may also be necessary.

Following this initial course, doctors prescribe another four months of treatment with rifampin and isoniazid.

If you are taking rifampin, you must complete the treatment course, even if you feel better. Completing the treatment ensures that the bacteria causing the infection are completely eradicated and don't become resistant.

The drug is taken twice daily for two days to treat N. meningitidis infection in adults.

Rifampin Overdose

Symptoms of overdose include:

Nausea and vomiting

Abdominal pain

Severe itching

Headache

Increased lethargy

Unconsciousness

Jaundice and liver enlargement

Children who overdose may also experience facial sweating and some life-threatening symptoms, including low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, seizures, and heart attacks.

Contact a poison control center or emergency room if you suspect you have taken too much rifampin. You can get in touch with a poison control center at (800) 222-1222. Call 911 if a person has collapsed or isn't breathing.

Missed Dose of Rifampin

Missing a dose of rifampin can increase your risks of developing low blood platelet counts and a hypersensitivity to the drug in your kidneys.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. But if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and call your doctor.

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Drugs A-Z provides drug information from Everyday Health and our partners, as well as ratings from our members, all in one place. Cerner Multum™ provides the data within some of the Basics, Side Effects, Interactions, and Dosage tabs. The information within the Reviews and FAQ tabs is proprietary to Everyday Health.

You can browse Drugs A-Z for a specific prescription or over-the-counter drug or look up drugs based on your specific condition. This information is for educational purposes only, and not meant to provide medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis. Remember to always consult your physician or health care provider before starting, stopping, or altering a treatment or health care regimen.

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